OUR TOWNS: SOUTH

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ALISO VIEJO

Fundraiser: Soka University is holding a student fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the campus, 1 University Drive. Donations will support Alternative Spring Break program student volunteers going to Detroit, Mich., for a week to work with community organizations focused on urban revitalization, environmental sustainability and outreach programs.

Kellie Mejdrich

949-
366-9473
kmejdrich@ocregister.com

THE CANYONS, COTO DE CAZA & LADERA RANCH

Park district contacts FPPC: The Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District is waiting for guidance from the Fair Political Practices Commission after Director Chay Peterson objected to Director Tom Smisek including his business name on brochures he designed and donated to the district. District President Greg Bates ran the issue by the District's Attorney Office, which suggested it be forwarded to the FPPC. During Tuesday's meeting, Bates said he's waiting to hear back from the agency.

Brooke Edwards Staggs

949-
454-7343
bstaggs@ocregister.com

DANA POINT

Substance awareness: The Dana Hills High School PTSA is teaming up with other organizations to host a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the school, 33333 Golden Lantern, to discuss the impact of underage drinking and prescription drug use in the city. Information: 949-595-2288, Ext. 328.

Lindsey Ruta

949-492-
5686
lruta@ocregister.com

LAGUNA BEACH

Love class: Laguna Presbyterian Church is hosting a seven-week marriage class on Mondays beginning March 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes run through April 22. Cost: $75 per couple; includes materials, dessert. Register at
lagunapreschurch.org; deadline is Sunday.

Joanna Clay

949-492-5135 jclay@ocregister.com

LAGUNA HILLS

Open space: The City Council on Tuesday approved a plan for the first phase of a $1.2 million project to beautify and build trails along a stretch of open space on La Paz Road between Moulton Parkway and Paseo de Valencia. The project will come back to the council at a future date for lighting to be discussed. Information: www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Mona Shadia

949-454-7363
mshadia@ocregister.com

LAGUNA NIGUEL

Friends of MIP: Friends of the Mandarin Immersion Program at Marian Bergeson Elementary is hosting its second annual Chinese New Year fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. March 9 at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The event includes dinner, a casino night and live and silent auctions. Purchase tickets before Sunday at friendsofmip.com/chinese-

new-year-fundraiser.html.

Joanna Clay

949-492-5135 jclay@ocregister.com

LAGUNA WOODS

Free tax assistance: Tax-Aide will offer free tax counseling and preparation services to low- and middle-income seniors in Laguna Woods and neighboring communities. Assistance is available Mondays through April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Florence Sylvester Senior Memorial Center and Wednesdays through April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, Redwood Room. To make an appointment, call 949-380-0155.

Jennifer Karmarkar

949-837-5200
jkarmarkar@ocregister.com

LAKE FOREST

Housing workshop: The public is invited to give input today at a workshop on the city's Housing Element, Lake Forest's long-term housing plan. The study session is scheduled to take place during the meeting of the city's Planning Commission, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 25550 Commercentre Drive. Information: 949-461-3479.

Sarah de Crescenzo

949-454-7307
sdecrescenzo@ocregister.com

MISSION VIEJO

Love story: Residents Catherine Maloof and Jody Lenihan are finalists in the Ultimate Love Story Contest, sponsored by the Namale Resort & Spa in Fiji. The couple, married in 2011, submitted their love story for the contest and were selected from more than 100 couples nationwide. The public gets to select the winner by voting at www.namalefiji.com/

sweepstakes/. Voting closes at midnight tonight. The winner, to be announced Monday, wins a free trip to Fiji and a five-night stay at the resort.

Kelli Hart Kehler

949-454-73
91
khart@ocregister.com

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA

Annual meeting: Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corp., the largest homeowners association in the city, will host its annual meeting and board election at 7 p.m. today. Ballots are accepted until 7 p.m. The meeting is at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo. Information: 949-709-0025.

Tomoya Shimura

949-454-7347 tshimura@ocregister.com

SAN CLEMENTE

Painting gardens: For the next two months, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens will have an artist in residence – Gianne Harper, who will paint the Casa's gardens through April, leading to an exhibit in the Casa's galleries in May. Harper arrived Feb. 18. Harper, though born and raised in California, lived in Paris for 24 years, and her paintings have been widely exhibited in France, Italy and Sweden. Her exhibit “In the Garden of the Casa” will appear at Casa Romantica May 11-June 10. Information: 949-498-2139.

Fred Swegles

949-492-5127
fswegles@ocregister.com

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Reduce stress: Join a public seminar by chiropractor Tim Swift from 10 to 11 a.m. next Thursday to learn about the effects stress has on the body and ways to reduce it. The free seminar will be held at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion. RSVP: 949-493-1171.

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